Reading comp PrepTest 158 · Section 1 · Question 1
Passage
A major problem facing industrial societies is their exponentially increasing production of toxic waste. Environmental regulations and expenses for landfills
Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage Summary Topic:
Science
Paragraph 1
Main Point:
The increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow.
Key Lines?
Paragraph 1, Sentence 3 (P1, S3) - Problem introduced
P1, S4-6: How deep-well drilling works
P1, S8 - Controversy surrounding problem described
P4, S1 - Author's conclusion
Meta-Structure?
Problem/Solution: The author identifies a problem in the first paragraph, suggesting that this passage utilizes a Problem/Solution Meta-Structure. In the first paragraph, the author defines the problem: industries increasingly use deep-well injection to dispose of hazardous waste (P1, S3). The author also describes the ensuing controversy: people reliant on underground water sources aren't cool with toxic waste being pumped near their drinking water (P1, S8). However, the author doesn't really provide any solutions in this passage. The author uses the second and third paragraphs to describe why deep-well injection is a worrisome problem. The author then recaps their position in the final paragraph. So, this is less a Problem/Solution passage than just a Problem passage. As such, the main point will be the author's opinion on the problem, which is conveniently summarized by the final paragraph. That paragraph asserts that the increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow.
List: This passage is also organized around a list. Lists are sometimes hard to identify in Reading Comp. However, claims like "there are three serious problems with this method of waste disposal" (P1, S9) provide a strong hint that we're about to get a list of three items. The first two items are enumerated in the second paragraph — the wells may leak due to mechanical failure (P2, S2) or human error (P2, S3-S4). The third item is described in the third paragraph: water flows unpredictably underground, which increases the risk of extensive but unknown contamination (P3, S1-3). When the author organizes part of the passage around items on a list, we'll probably get at least one question about the list. Therefore, it's a good idea to note, remember, or highlight where each item was discussed in each paragraph.
Last Thoughts?
This is a tremendously detail-oriented passage. The first paragraph — the longest — describes deep-well injection in a manner that is ... excuse the pun ... very in-depth. The following two paragraphs enumerate, in detail, three reasons why the author thinks deep-well injection is problematic. Even the author's main point — offered in the last paragraph — just reiterates each item in that list. This passage drills us with details, so we should expect a higher-than-normal amount of Minor Point questions.
Science
Paragraph 1
- Paragraph note
- Background to Problem: Deep-well injection of waste
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Background info on deep-well injection: Drill hole into rock layer already filled with salt water, inject waste into salt water, typically between 300 and 1800 meters underground (fourth through seventh sentences)
- Author's attitude: "major problem" (first sentence), "serious problems" (last sentence)
- Paragraph note
- Two problems with injection: leaks and human errors
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- List of potential issues, item 1: leak due to mechanical failure (second sentence)
- List of potential issues, item 2: leak due to human error (third sentence)
- Example of leak due to human error: a gap in a 500-meter deep well (fourth and fifth sentences)
- Author's attitude: "best conditions" (first sentence), "significant amount of noxious chemicals" (second sentence), "dangerous levels of water materials for long periods of time before the problem is even discovered" (last sentence)
- Paragraph note
- Third problem with injection: unpredictable water flow
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- List of potential issues, item 3: unpredictable water flow (first sentence)
- Comparison: surface water vs. underground water (second sentence)
- Surface water's flow only affected by gravity, underground water's flow is influenced by other factors, like pressure gradients
- Author's attitude: "nearly impossible" (first sentence)
- Paragraph note
- Author's conclusion
- Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
- Author's conclusion: "The significant uncertainty about where injected wastes will flow, along with the possibilities of mechanical failure and human error, makes deep-well injection a risky means of managing hazardous wastes" (first sentence)
- Author's attitude: "significant uncertainty" (first sentence), "possibilities of mechanical failure and human error" (first sentence), "risky means of managing hazardous wastes" (first sentence), "Unfortunately" (second sentence)
Main Point:
The increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow.
Key Lines?
Paragraph 1, Sentence 3 (P1, S3) - Problem introduced
P1, S4-6: How deep-well drilling works
P1, S8 - Controversy surrounding problem described
P4, S1 - Author's conclusion
Meta-Structure?
Problem/Solution: The author identifies a problem in the first paragraph, suggesting that this passage utilizes a Problem/Solution Meta-Structure. In the first paragraph, the author defines the problem: industries increasingly use deep-well injection to dispose of hazardous waste (P1, S3). The author also describes the ensuing controversy: people reliant on underground water sources aren't cool with toxic waste being pumped near their drinking water (P1, S8). However, the author doesn't really provide any solutions in this passage. The author uses the second and third paragraphs to describe why deep-well injection is a worrisome problem. The author then recaps their position in the final paragraph. So, this is less a Problem/Solution passage than just a Problem passage. As such, the main point will be the author's opinion on the problem, which is conveniently summarized by the final paragraph. That paragraph asserts that the increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow.
List: This passage is also organized around a list. Lists are sometimes hard to identify in Reading Comp. However, claims like "there are three serious problems with this method of waste disposal" (P1, S9) provide a strong hint that we're about to get a list of three items. The first two items are enumerated in the second paragraph — the wells may leak due to mechanical failure (P2, S2) or human error (P2, S3-S4). The third item is described in the third paragraph: water flows unpredictably underground, which increases the risk of extensive but unknown contamination (P3, S1-3). When the author organizes part of the passage around items on a list, we'll probably get at least one question about the list. Therefore, it's a good idea to note, remember, or highlight where each item was discussed in each paragraph.
Last Thoughts?
This is a tremendously detail-oriented passage. The first paragraph — the longest — describes deep-well injection in a manner that is ... excuse the pun ... very in-depth. The following two paragraphs enumerate, in detail, three reasons why the author thinks deep-well injection is problematic. Even the author's main point — offered in the last paragraph — just reiterates each item in that list. This passage drills us with details, so we should expect a higher-than-normal amount of Minor Point questions.
Question prompt
Which one of the
Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right
Credited answer: D
The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.
Question Type
Science
Answer choices
-
ADeep-well injection of hazardous Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice A is not credited
Main Point questions are reliably anticipatable, so we should simply compare our anticipation to each answer choice until we find one that lines up. Does this answer choice sound like, "The increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow"?
Not quite. This answer choice says deep-well injection is a problem "when expensive precautionary measures are not taken." But this author never discussed "expensive precautionary measures." In fact, the author suggests certain issues — like the unpredictable flow of underground water — may exist irrespective of any precautionary measures. So this answer choice mischaracterizes the main point, and it should be eliminated. -
BAlthough deep-well injection of Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice B is not credited
Main Point questions are reliably anticipatable, so we should simply compare our anticipation to each answer choice until we find one that lines up. Does this answer choice sound like, "The increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow"?
Not at all. An efficient test-taker would eliminate this upon reading "generally safe." This is the exact opposite point that the author repeatedly made in this passage. The author doesn't think that "proper procedures" and "careful" site selection will eliminate the risk of deep-well injection, so this answer choice mischaracterizes the main point. -
CBecause of the high Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice C is not credited
Main Point questions are reliably anticipatable, so we should simply compare our anticipation to each answer choice until we find one that lines up. Does this answer choice sound like, "The increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow"?
Nope. This answer choice just conveys the idea that deep-well injection is popular. The author mentions this a few times (P1, S3; P4, S2), but the author was primarily concerned with showing why deep-well injection is dangerous. This answer choice doesn't even hint at the danger involved, so it cannot accurately state the main point. Moreover, there's a factual issue in this answer choice. The passage never states that deep-well injection has "wholly supplanted" (completely replaced) other waste disposal methods. The passage only states that the use of deep-well injection has recently "increased" (P1, S3; P4, S2). Either one of these issues is enough to sink (C). -
DThe increasing use of Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice D matches the stem
Question Type:
Major Point/Main Point
Strategy Overview:
Reiterate the main point as we summarized it after reading through the passage, then find the answer that best matches it
Answer Anticipation:
As discussed in the Meta-Structure section above, this passage utilizes a Problem/Solution Meta-Structure. In such a Meta-Structure, the author's opinion on the solution is generally the main point. But ... in this particular passage, the author didn't discuss any solutions at length. The author mainly elaborated on why the problem is a problem. So the main point is the author's opinion on the problem, conveniently summarized by the passage's last paragraph. That paragraph asserts that the increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow.
Answer Choice Explanation:
Main Point questions are reliably anticipatable, so we should simply compare our anticipation to each answer choice until we find one that lines up. Does this answer choice sound like, "The increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow"? Yes, it does! It doesn't mention the author's specific issues, so it's a little more generalized than our anticipation. But that's OK, as this answer choice expresses the same ideas that the author conveys in the main point. Therefore, we can select it confidently. And if we were trying to save time, we could even move on to the next question without reading (E).
Last Thoughts?
(A), (B), and (E) were all wrong because they suggested that the author described a solution to the problems associated with deep-well injection of hazardous waste. Even though we technically characterized this passage as a Problem/Solution, we made sure to note that the author was exclusively concerned with describing the problem. When determining the overarching structure of the passage, the Meta-Structures can provide you with a helpful starting point. But you need to make sure you do not let the Meta-Structure mislead you. Most passages describing a problem will also discuss a solution; however, some will only describe the problem. Assuming that the authors always describe solutions could have led us to select one of these wrong answers. As always, rely on textual evidence. Don't assume the author wanted to convey an idea never discussed in the passage. -
ECareful design and location Remaining source text redacted.
Why choice E is not credited
Main Point questions are reliably anticipatable, so we should simply compare our anticipation to each answer choice until we find one that lines up. Does this answer choice sound like, "The increasing use of deep-well injection of hazardous waste presents a risk of severe water contamination due to mechanical failure, human error, and significant uncertainty about where the injected waste will flow"?
Assuming they hadn't already selected (D) and moved on to the next question, an experienced test-taker would answer that with a resounding, "No." Like (A) and (B), this answer choice suggests that the passage's main point focused on avoiding the dangers associated with deep-well injection of hazardous waste. However, the author in this passage was primarily concerned with describing why deep-well injection of hazardous waste is dangerous. For this reason, (E) mischaracterizes the main point and can be swiftly eliminated.
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